{"id":2347743,"date":"2024-09-30T17:59:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T21:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-ballot-measure-aims-to-end-state-supreme-court-retention-elections-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-30T18:04:21","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T22:04:21","slug":"arizona-ballot-measure-aims-to-end-state-supreme-court-retention-elections-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-ballot-measure-aims-to-end-state-supreme-court-retention-elections-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona ballot measure aims to end state Supreme Court retention elections &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Farizona-ballot-measure-aims-to-end-state-supreme-court-retention-elections-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2347743&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Arizona is facing a significant ballot measure, Proposition 137, which aims to eliminate retention elections for state Supreme \u200bCourt justices, Court of Appeals judges, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judges-say-north-carolina-law-requiring-voter-photo-id-is-discriminatory\/\" title=\"Judges Say North Carolina Law Requiring Voter Photo ID Is Discriminatory\">superior court judges<\/a> in counties with populations over 250,000. Backed by Republicans, the proposition seeks to\u200d change\u2063 the\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fncs-carlson-gamestop-saga-shows-system-is-not-the-capitalism-we-were-promised-not-even-close\/\" title=\"FNC&#039;s Carlson: GameStop Saga Shows System Is &#039;Not the Capitalism We Were Promised -- Not Even Close&#039;\">current system<\/a> where voters approve or reject justices every \u2064four to\u200d six years. If passed, it would allow judges to face voter scrutiny only under specific \u200bconditions such\u2062 as criminal conviction or poor performance reviews.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats oppose the \u200bmeasure, arguing that it diminishes judicial accountability and transparency. They warn that without voter oversight, judges might succumb to personal or political biases. Proponents like Republican Senator David Gowan argue that the measure would protect the judicial \u2062process from external financial influences. <\/p>\n<p>Many retired justices from Arizona have expressed their discontent with the measure, emphasizing the \u2064importance of the current merit-based selection system, which they believe ensures judiciary independence while maintaining accountability. They\u200c argue that Proposition 137 would significantly\u2063 undermine \u200dthis\u200b balance and replace voters&#8217; voices with legislative control. The debate reflects broader concerns about judicial independence and accountability in Arizona&#8217;s political landscape.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Arizona ballot measure aims to end state Supreme Court retention elections<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1768660\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A GOP-backed ballot measure would end the practice of giving <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/arizona\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Arizona<\/a> voters the right to recall their state Supreme Court justices if passed this November.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>If approved, Arizona&rsquo;s Proposition 137 would end retention elections for state Supreme Court justices, judges on the state&rsquo;s Court of Appeals, and superior court judges in counties above 250,000 residents. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3165784\/arizona-governor-first-supreme-court-appointment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>the governor appoints justices<\/a> to the Arizona Supreme Court, Arizona is currently one of 31 states that have the ability for voters to retain or reject justices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Democrats oppose the measure, which they view as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newsom-signs-bill-repealing-californias-covid-19-misinformation-law\/\" title=\"Newsom repeals California&#039;s COVID-19 &#039;misinformation&#039; law.\">legislative power grab<\/a>, while the state&rsquo;s Republican majority in both the Arizona House and Senate supports it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Without the vote of the people, the judges would have no accountability,&rdquo; Felecia Rotellini, who chairs the Keep Courts Accountable PAC and is the former head of the state Democratic Party, told <a href=\"https:\/\/azmirror.com\/2024\/09\/30\/arizona-gop-asks-voters-to-nullify-the-judicial-elections-theyll-be-voting-on\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><em>Bolts<\/em><\/a><em>. <\/em>&ldquo;If there is no accountability to the people, then there is a motivation to lean towards their own ideological preferences, their personal preferences, their political preferences.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We will lose part of our democracy,&rdquo; Rotellini continued.<\/p>\n<p>Republican state Sen. David Gowan is one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billtrack50.com\/legislatordetail\/4852\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>measure<\/a>&rsquo;s chief sponsors, and he says he&rsquo;s worried about national groups funding state elections.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This proposition makes it difficult for nefarious outsiders to manipulate our judicial process,&rdquo; Gowan told the outlet. &ldquo;We see a lot of dollars pour in from out of state to unseat judges who can&rsquo;t defend themselves because they aren&rsquo;t politicians.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>If Proposition 137 were to pass, judges would only face voters if they fail their performance review, which is a rare occurrence in Arizona. They could also face a retention election if they are convicted of specific crimes, declare bankruptcy, or foreclose upon a mortgage.<\/p>\n<p>In Arizona, all judges, whether they be state Supreme Court justices, judges on the state&rsquo;s Court of Appeals, or superior court judges in counties above 250,000 residents, are appointed by the governor via a recommendation from the 16-member Commission on Appellate Court Appointments. Once on the court, justices face performance reviews and retention elections every four to six years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Retired justices in the state appear unconvinced by the measure. Twenty retired justices from Arizona courts <a href=\"https:\/\/azcapitoltimes.com\/news\/2024\/09\/26\/arizona-retired-judges-urge-no-vote-on-prop-137\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>wrote a letter<\/a> to voters, urging them to reject the measure.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This merit selection\/retention election system has served Arizona well. It has balanced judicial independence with accountability, allowing the judges to spend their time deciding cases, without being pressured by partisan politics,&rdquo; said the letter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Proposition 137 would gut this system. It would eliminate fixed terms for all merit-selected judges, virtually abolish all retention elections, and replace the voice of the people with legislative influence and oversight,&rdquo; the letter continued.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Arizona Democrats have also been organizing efforts to recall two justices up for retention who voted to reinstate Arizona&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/2959358\/arizona-supreme-court-upholds-civil-war-era-abortion-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>near-total 1864 abortion ban<\/a>. Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/2989249\/arizona-governor-repeals-abortion-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>repealed the ruling<\/a> via the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/2978343\/arizona-house-passes-bill-repeal-civil-war-era-abortion-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>state legislature<\/a> and reverted Arizona to the 2022 abortion law in the state, which outlaws abortion at 15 weeks and makes no exceptions for rape or incest.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE<\/strong><\/a><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title> <\/a><\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong>FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King are on Democrats&rsquo; hopeful chopping block this year as they hope abortion will be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3119490\/arizona-voters-abortion-amendment-november\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>driving factor<\/a> for Arizona voters amid the turmoil surrounding abortion rights in the state.<\/p>\n<p>If Proposition 137 passes on Nov. 5, it would nullify Bolick and King&rsquo;s retentions on Election Day, regardless of the outcome.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1768660\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1768660\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arizona ballot measure seeks to eliminate Supreme Court retention elections<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2347745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/az-state-capitol-1024x598.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[4472,32912,42041,36778,32076],"class_list":["post-2347743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-arizona","tag-ballot-measure","tag-retention-elections","tag-state-supreme-court","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/az-state-capitol-1024x598.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2347743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2347743"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2347743\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2347745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2347743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2347743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2347743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}